Chocolate, one of America's
most popular flavors, may actually be good
for you if current studies are right.
Cocoa and chocolate contain a large amount
of antioxidants (flavinoids). Cocoa and dark
chocolate may keep high blood pressure down
and reduce the blood's ability to clot, thus
the risk of stroke and hart attacks may be
reduced. Pure cocoa is the best for you but
it is too bitter to eat. The
processing and addition of sugar and other
ingredients dilute much of the health
benefits.The darker chocolate with the most
concentrated cocoa is considered the most
beneficial.
The cacao bean contains a
lot of carbohydrates, but most of it is
starch, soluble dietary fibers and insoluble
dietary fibers. A very small proportion is
simple sugars. Sugar, milk and other
ingredients are added during the manufacture
of chocolate.
So basically, we should
enjoy for what it is -- a dessert that makes
a wonderful chocolate gift. And, like
any dessert, it should be eaten in small
amounts.
